U.S. Hiring to Stay on a Steady Course

Credit: MGN Online

U.S. Hiring to Stay on a Steady Course

April 3, 2014Updated Apr 3, 2014 at 11:49 AM EST

(CareerBuilder news release) The U.S. jobs outlook for the second quarter is akin to last year’s forecast, but certain industries are expected to outperform the national average for hiring, according to a CareerBuilder job forecast.

The number of manufacturing employers planning to add full-time, permanent headcount increased three percentage points over Q2 2013 and beat the national average for this year’s forecast by seven percentage points. Information Technology, Financial Services, Professional and Business Services and Health Care are also among industries projected to lead in job creation.

“While employment has not yet reached an ideal level, the U.S. is moving closer to the tipping point for substantial job growth,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder and co-author of The Talent Equation. “The economy is expanding, the housing market is recovering, consumer confidence is up and companies are starting to tap into cash reserves to invest – these are all good signs. As these trends strengthen, we expect hiring to hold steady in the second quarter and gain ground in the back half of the year.”

Looking ahead, 26 percent of employers plan to add full-time, permanent staff in the second quarter, on par with last year. Given that employers historically have been more conservative in estimates than actual hiring activity, the number may come in higher at quarter’s end.

Eight percent of employers expect to downsize staff, down from 9 percent last year. Sixty-one percent anticipate no change while 5 percent are undecided.

The top five industries that are expected to surpass the national average for adding full-time, permanent staff in the second quarter include:

· Information Technology – 34 percent of hiring managers

· Financial Services – 34 percent

· Manufacturing – 33 percent

· Health Care – 28 percent

· Professional and Business Services – 28 percent

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